We’ve seen some early images, and we know that Fiat Chrysler Automobiles feels the upcoming Jeep Wagoneer could warrant a price tag of up to $140,000.
What the folks at Jeep aren’t exactly sure of is how diverse they want the brand’s flagship SUV to be when it rolls out, likely as a 2019 model. One this is for sure — a model that exclusive likely needs some electrification, and Jeep brand chief Mike Manley knows it.
According to Car and Driver, Manley told journalists yesterday that by the time the model bows, a certain amount of electrification will be a “required.”
Other makers of ultra-lux SUVs have upped their hybrid game, greenwashing the stately barges to satisfy public sentiment and environmental regulators. Manley has said in the past that he wants the Grand Wagoneer to compete with the likes of Range Rover, Porsche and BMW, and not offering a hybrid powertrain could make it look like a poser in the six-figure field.
Manley reportedly hinted that a plug-in hybrid powertrain is Jeep’s goal for the eco-conscious variant. So, where would FCA find such an accessory? Well, the automaker could source components from the far-less-exclusive Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid. There’s also the next-generation 2018 Jeep Wrangler, which is is expected to offer a hybrid powertrain and seems a more compatible source.
Jeep’s Grand Wagoneer will ride atop a variant of the next-generation Grand Cherokee platform, but its diversity could go well beyond its powertrain offerings. Manley said the brand still hasn’t decided whether to offer the model in different wheelbases.
Still WK2?
Thought so.
“will ride atop a variant of the next-generation Grand Cherokee platform”
What makes you think it will still be on the WK2 platform? Have they said that the next GC will be an updated version of the existing?
FCA’s financial issues, the fact FCA is keeping many other also rans (RAM’s DS/DJ) along with the fact we don’t really know how different Wrangler JL will be structurally from JK aside from aluminum, suggest to me nothing will be “all new” to the “next generation” GC. I expect them to essentially put out a WK3 revision and play more kick the can of Daimler products.
It’s not a WK
The reason why electrification is required in high-end cars isn’t because of greenwashing. It’s because many European cities are banning ICE cars in their historical downtown cores. Nobody will buy one of these if they have to walk the last mile home.
Have to do it to meet CAFE 2025. Nearly everything will have provision for PHEV.
Sorry! No FCA product is worthy of a price tag that high. They are completely dreaming of Mercedes-Benz GLS money!
They need a reality check.
Those who have purchased Dodge Vipers over its 25 years of production might disagree, despite the fact that the Corvette has consistently outsold it in the last years of what will be the Viper’s final production run.
Why do people keep repeating that?
Manley was asked about pricing, but what was also said was:
“While he feels that there might not be an upper limit to price, Manley admits that, well, there might be an upper limit. The model needs to establish itself first, he said”
It won’t be priced at $140K, it’ll be priced at half that at most.
They just need a Maserati V8 and vibrating, heated leather seats. Rich people paid high prices for blinged out AMC wagoneers in the mid-1970s, just to drive a bug-out vehicle in style.
Will Sergio then beg us to not buy it?
Not if he knows what’s good for him, especially considering he wants the Jeep brand to be consistently profitable.
Don’t like those “headlights”. Nope. And, $140,000? Sergio needs to cut down on the espresso.
This will need to be good. Really good.
140K for a Wagonner? I expect REAL WOOD side panels for that price!
Why? The top-of-the-line Range Rover is similarly priced, and that’s the target market. The newly rich won’t question the price.
The assertion that using hybrid tech is merely “greenwashing” or “eco-conscious”, is pretty tonedeaf. Cars of all types (and maybe *especially* luxury cars) benefit in a variety of ways from well-designed hybrid drivetrain – instant torque, silent operation, AWD/thrust-vectoring magic, etc etc.